Laguna Beach Design Review Board approves multiple home projects, continues two items for more study

The Laguna Beach Design Review Board on Jan. 9 approved a series of residential design-review applications and related permits, and continued two agenda items for further work.

The board adopted resolutions and permits for projects at 2847 Alta Laguna Blvd.; 1540 Arroyo Drive; 598 Alta Vista Way; 2210 Crestview Drive; 530 Ruby Street; and 28100 Chateau Way. The board also continued 629 Balboa Avenue to the Jan. 23 meeting and continued 31731 Seacove Drive to March 13 for revisions and additional privacy screening and design work.

Why it matters: approvals allow property owners to move into permitting and construction phases for new or modified single-family homes and accessory features, while the continuances reflected neighborhood concerns about notice and privacy — issues the board flagged as needing fixes before final approval.

Votes at a glance

- 2847 Alta Laguna Blvd. — Resolution 24-1267 approving design review 24-1267 for a 359 sq ft elevated deck addition, retaining walls over 5 ft, grading, spa, door/window modifications and landscaping; staff recommended CEQA exemption; vote: 3–0 to approve (Board Member Gibbs: Yes; Chair Pro Tem Thalmann: Yes; Chair Gannon: Yes).

- 1540 Arroyo Drive — Resolution 24-1785 approving a new two-story, 1,296 sq ft single-family home with attached two-car garage, street improvements and construction in an environmentally sensitive area; board approved a…